Frank Mercede

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FRANK, President and founder of "Frank Mercede and Sons Inc." is a worker in the genuine and highest sense of the word. An old timer from the ranks of Italy's precious workmen who carry with them, wherever they go, the trait, as it were, of the pioneer - the radiant light of sacrifice and self-denial. 

To think of Frank without associating him with something worthwhile occupying his hands and his mind, is absolutely impossible. He represent s the purest and most positive consecration of human labor, the kind of labor that is not merely the mask of a fruitless existence, but a truly creative activity geared to the progressive development of mankind. 

On arriving in America he sought, like all immigrants, the road to fortune. He was well aware that before reaching success he would have to pay with plenty of sweat, show a high degree of resistance and tenacity and be one of the "strong" ones who are not afraid of obstacles, opposition, humiliation and disappointment. 

Frank was endowed with these essential virtues, besides which he carried with him the tools of his trade, a trade which he learned and perfected under the excellent guidance of his father, a well-known building contractor in Gravina di Puglia. Being master of a trade gave him the assurance of being able, at the earliest opportunity, to put the test his dreams of economic success. 

Frank was born April 3, 1902, in Gravina di Puglia, the son of Nicholas and Theresa Mercede. He was second oldest in a family of 11 children. When yet a boy, having barely finished the 4th grade, his generous and thoughtful nature prompted him to give up school and follow his father on his construction jobs, thus making himself very useful by contributing with his labors to the many needs of his large family. 

As he grew in years, Frank being of a serious and farsighted turn of mind realized that the small provincial town of his birth could not provide a satisfactory future to all his inhabitants. He became anxious and restless to find a landbig and prosperous enough for men of goodwill to work in, with a fair chance that their best efforts would be duly rewarded by a better and fuller life for all. 

The magic work of "America" so tempted him with all its flattering associations that, in 1920, he made up his mind to transplant himself to the United States. He was 18 years old, the age of carefree youth and of great aspirations. With his heart full of happy hopes, he landed in New York on December 24th, Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, upon his arrival he had to experience the better feeling of loneliness in a strange land. A lonely Christmas, away from his family. He was not even a free man in the great land of opportunity for, while he was quarantined and eventually set to Ellis Island, which was known at that time of as the "Island of Tears." 

When he was finally released from Ellis Island, he was put on a train that was to take him to Stamford, Connecticut, to join his uncle's family. He felt lost, and even more so when he arrived at the railroad station to find no one waiting for him. He didn't know which way to his relative's residence. 

That's how his life started in America, a life which at first gave rise to what seemed to be no end of sacrifices and struggles. 

It wasn't easy for a non-English-speaking foreigner to adjust to the new land and find a decent job, especiallyat a time when Italians were often humiliated, antagonized, relegated to the lowest jobs and even exploited. 

Frank Mercede was a young man, full of the best intentions, master of his trade, but ignorant of the new language. He couldn't adjust to the American customs, nor even belong to a union without first going through a hard and painful novitiate, gratuitous though it was all in a professional sense, Nevertheless, he did not lose heart. He lived with his relatives, but he had to pay $7 a week for board and keep, and he didn't have it. One day his aunt suggested that he get himself a job in a shirt factory. It was a strange suggestion to make to a bricklayer, yet Frank, intent on getting work, presented himself at the factory. He was hired though he knew nothing about that kind of work at all. Urged on by necessity and armed with a driving desire to get started at something, he learned to operate a sewing machine and earned $5 per week, just $2 short of his minimum living expenses. 

He worked on for two month, then became discouraged and quit. 

Construction work became scarce, he had to go back to the shirt factory. 

This time his pay was increased to $13 per week. One day, he gave this up, determined to make a way for himself in the construction field. He found himself covering mile upon mile of road every day in search for work. He met a contractor who let him work for three days as a mason's helper. Once again he had to beat his "via crucis" until another contractor, having tested him on a piece of work, became convinced of the man's ability and hired him at $4 a day . This contractor also had a livestock farm and expected Frank in the evening, after a day of exhausting toil, to feed his animals, clean the stalls and groom the horses. 

For 6 months, he endured this inhuman treatment, then one fine day he rebelled against this exploiter and left him to go work on railroad construction, common work those days.

Day in day out, it was a endless tale of trials, privations and anxieties; having no choice but to put up with them he mustered all the strength of his body and spirit. 

Meanwhile, an acquaintance promised to recommend him to the bricklayer's union. It was another nerve-wracking empty hope that kept him waiting to no avail. Frank went back to construction labor, submitting to the inevitable abuse and exploitation. It seemed he had come to the end of his rope, when a conscientious contractor discovered him, appreciated his ability and hired him. This job lasted 5 years. 

On finishing up with his firm, he went to New York, He was by now an American citizen, and spoke English fairly well. 

The new concern where he worked was very much impressed , so much so that the head man asked him to find another craftsman like himself. Frank brought along two of his friends, only to see them get fired after a 15 minute test, which was a great injustice. While true that the new men were a little slow, that was due to the fact that they were first-class masters of their trade, with the uncompromising pride that would not permit them to be just production workers. It all proved to be too much for him. He lay down his tools and quit his job in a gesture of protest on behalf of his friends, whom he wanted rehired; such a place was not for him either. He was a man of conscience and character, with an ingrained hatred of suppression. In spite of the entreaties of his boss who wanted him to stay at all costs, he refused, unless his terms were met. He would not bend to the sordid egoistic interests and aims of others. He returned to Stamford, and in 1926 a building company from Greenwich sublet small contracts to him, which he heartily welcomed. Thus the Mercede Construction Company was born. It had an empty treasury - the only assets were Frank's strong arms, his skill, and his noble ambition to succeed and be independent at all costs. 

The initial operations of his own business brought on a crop of further sacrifices and headaches. The jobs he did were often not paid for, and unless he collected he could not satisfy his creditors, who furnished him with the building supplies he absolutely could not do without. Now happy, no sad, any of diverse were the vicissitudes that shaped the life of his dauntless worker, whose faith shone through walls of darkness, whose hope in a better future nothing could ever snuff out. 

Little by little, his endeavors bore the first fruits of acknowledgement and progress. His performances spoke acknowledgement and progress. His performances spoke for themselves. They won for him approval and recognition. Small jobs gave way to large contracts, so that with the passing of these early years, the Frank Mercede Construction Company established the solid foundation upon which they build today's buildings. 

Beautiful, well constructed building erect by his firm may be seen everywhere from Stamford and environs; schools, churches, stores, factories, banks, public institutions, and luxurious custom homes., edifices costing millions of dollars. Anyone who looks at them cannot but marvel at the beautiful workmanship. 

But this is not all. He develops wooded areas in choice locations in Stamford, constructing networks of roads, water and sewer systems, thus creating new residential sections consisting of beautiful dwellings. As founder and president of Roma Developing  Corporation and High Clear Acres, Inc. he planned and built residential developments such as Mercede Lane, High Clear Drive, Unity Road, Janice Road, Little Hills Drive, and Echo Hill Road. In addition, he has developed an Industrial Park, Progress Drive, leasing building to General Time, Inc. and Branson Instruments. At other locations, buildings for Wilbar Photo-engraving of Darien, and Plymouth-Chrysler Agency in Gidgefield. Looking into the future, to be completed in 1968, the new executive offices of Schweppes, Inc. on High Ridge Road. 

In 1924, Frank Mercede married Anne Saco, originally from Gravina de Puglia like himself, who was brought to this country when she was 4 years old. From this happy union were born 5 children: Nicholas, John, Teresa, Frank, Jr and Janice. 

Nicholas graduated from high school, and from 1945 to 1947 served in the U.S. Navy Air Force, He attended Bridgeport University. In 1949 he married Anita Wallace. They have two children: Frank and Barbara. 

John attended college and in 1951 married Dee DeMer. They have 4 children: John, Nancy, Sky, and Richard. 

Theresa graduated from a school of fashion design. She is adept in the art of creating and cutting models of ladies' apparel. She is married to Frank Gaglio a designer of women's wear who owns his own firm. They have three sons: Salvatore, Frank and Anthony. 

Frank, Jr. attended Fairfield Prep, served in the Army, and attended The Institute of Design. In 1959 he married the former Arlene Bitetto, they have three children: Joanne, Frank and Carolyn. 

Janice is 17 years old, a senior at Rippowam High School. 

In 1946, the sons, Nicholas and John, joined the Mercede Firm, accounting for its new title designation of Frank Mercede and Sons, Inc.  Nicholas acts as Vice President, and John as Treasurer. Frank, Jr., Secretary, joined the firm in 1958. They are collaborators of their father, as, since childhood, they followed him around on his various jobs, cultivating a passion for the building art, so that, today, with all their studies and practical experience, they have a knowledge of an architect who knows thoroughly every technical phase of construction. They are experts in creating designs based on the latest concepts of good style. 

Frank Mercede, though wrapped up in the great responsibilities of his position always find some time to take part in his community. In a charitable way he has helped the Italian Center of Stamford, the Y.M.C.A., the Stamford Observatory, the United Fund, the Gravinese Mutual Aid Society, the Ezio Pinza Theater, and Boys Town of Italy, He is a religious man and is ready to aid his church in any way.

An excellent American citizen, he is grateful to his land of opportunity. He also is a faithful sun, who does not forget his country of origin, showing again and again his love and attachment to both America and Italy. 

This is the history of "FRANK" a name synonymous with unflinching courage, victory, and with ta life devoted wholeheartedly to honest fruitful work. 

Held in high esteem by his friend and clients for his gentlemanly conduct and for his reputation as a business man of high moral caliber, Frank Mercede could well rest on his hard-earned laurels, take it easy and enjoy the fruits of his good fortune. Instead of continues at his post, directing his vast enterprise with the enthusiasm of a truly heroic figure who knows no pause or rest. Generous, simple and good in his way of life, he is a wonderful example of the value of tenacious hard work, this same dynamic industrious activity that is the secret  of America's progress, and which exalts and confirms on the loftiest level the God-given qualities of our people, instruments of enlightenment the world over.